Prolactin blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Prolactin is made by the pituitary gland. Its best-known role is stimulating breast milk production after childbirth, but it is present in everyone. When prolactin is higher than it should be, it can dampen the hormones that control the ovaries and testes, which is why raised prolactin is linked with cycle changes and reduced sex drive.

Prolactin release is held in check by dopamine from the brain. Stress, sleep, nipple stimulation, pregnancy and a number of medicines can all push the level up, so the result is always interpreted with your circumstances in mind.

Your price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request. No GP referral is needed.

Who it is for

• Your periods have become irregular or stopped and you are not pregnant.
• You have milky nipple discharge when you are not breastfeeding.
• You are having difficulty conceiving and want to include prolactin in your checks.
• You are a man with low libido, erectile difficulties or a low testosterone result.
• You take a medicine known to raise prolactin, such as some antipsychotics or anti-sickness drugs, and your doctor has suggested monitoring.

Understanding your result

A mildly raised prolactin is common and is often caused by stress, a difficult blood draw, recent sleep, exercise, an underactive thyroid or medication. Sometimes much of the measured prolactin is a large, inactive form called macroprolactin, which the laboratory can check for. A persistently raised level may be caused by a benign growth in the pituitary called a prolactinoma, which is usually treatable, and this is investigated by a specialist with further tests. Low prolactin is rarely significant.

Your report shows the laboratory reference range. A result outside it is a prompt for discussion and often a repeat test, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

You do not need to fast. Prolactin is higher during sleep and early in the morning, so an appointment two to three hours after waking is preferred. Sit quietly for a few minutes before your sample, avoid strenuous exercise and nipple stimulation beforehand, and tell us about all your medicines. Pause biotin supplements for two days, as biotin can affect some hormone assays. If you might be pregnant, mention it, as prolactin rises naturally in pregnancy.

Prolactin is included in the Hormone Health Check, the Fertility Panel and the Men's Hormone and TRT Panel. You can also compare every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a prolactin blood test in Chiswick?

The prolactin test is £49. The price includes your sample at our clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Can stress raise prolactin?

Yes. Physical and emotional stress, including anxiety about having blood taken, can raise prolactin for a short time. This is one reason a mildly raised result is often repeated.

Does a high result mean I have a pituitary tumour?

Not necessarily. Most raised results have simpler explanations. A persistently high level is looked into further, and the benign growths that can cause it are usually treatable.

Why would a man check prolactin?

High prolactin can lower testosterone and cause reduced libido or erectile difficulties, so it is a common part of a male hormone check.